Durham are aiming high for new FA Women's Super League season

After a seventh-place finish in 2015, the Wildcats are looking to push for a top four finish this year.

Having strengthened over the close season, Durham will be hoping for a successful campaign in the second tier, with the league looking like an open race.

The league season begins on Wednesday next week, with a trip to newly-promoted Sheffield FC Ladies up first.

Durham’s first home game comes on Easter Monday when London Bees visit New Ferens Park.

The Wildcats have already progressed through two rounds of the FA Women’s Cup, beating London Bees and Charlton Athletic before drawing FA WSL1 side Notts County in the fifth round. That game is played on Sunday.

This followed some successful pre-season results, including a trip to Scotland and games against WSL1 opposition.

Coach Andrew Thorpe said: “Pre-season has gone really well.

“We’ve got some good results against some good teams in friendlies.

“We’re also through to the fifth round of the FA Cup after two tough ties, so all in all it’s been a good pre-season.”

Three new faces joined Durham over the winter break, with ex-Sunderland duo Sarah McFadden and Becky Salicki joining young goalkeeper Megan Borthwick at New Ferens Park.

And Thorpe believes these new faces will make a difference.

“The new faces have fitted in really well,” he said.

“We only needed three or four key players brought in and we’ve done that.

“The three new signings have definitely made the squad stronger.

“They’ve joined and made a big difference in pre-season, and now we just can’t wait for the league games.

Having finished sixth and seventh in the last two seasons, Thorpe believes the Wildcats will push on this year.

“For the last couple of seasons, we’ve been a mid-table side but we’re aiming to be up there with the best this year.

“This season we’re going to really push ourselves and look to get into the top four and even the top three if we can, he said.”